Food Allergy Awareness Week

FAEN is kicking off the event in early May by recognizing Gina Lee, President of Food Allergy Education Network with Shore Publishing’s “Person of the Week.”

Branford Public Schools District-Wide Parent Education Night

On May 7th 2012 from 7pm-8pm the Branford elementary school PTA’s are hosting an informational session to inform and discuss with the community members issues regarding food allergies. Our special guest speaker with be Jamie Perillo, a LPC is a licensed child, adolescent, and family therapist, parent and wellness educator, mentor and behavioral consultant. Open to the public and free. Location: John B. Sliney Elementary School 23 Eades Street Branford CT.

Donate a Food Allergy Book!
Donate a book on behalf of your friend with food allergies! RJ Julia of Madison is supporting children and families with food allergies. Purchase one of the selected Food Allergy books between the dates of May 10 – 20 at RJ Julia Booksellers in Madison, CT (in store only). 10%* of the sale of the book will be donated to the Food Allergy Education Network (FAEN) in Branford, CT on behalf of RJ Julia. Be sure to tell the bookseller when you purchase the book!
Take the book to your school library, your teacher, your day care provider, or the public library and donate it on behalf of your friend with food allergies! Don’t know where to share it?
You may leave the book at RJ Julia and they will give it to FAEN to distribute on your behalf! It couldn’t be easier.

*We are sorry, but booklovers discount will not apply.

Sunday May 13th
Area churches will be encouraged to share facts about food allergies. A fact sheet is available to download for free HERE.

Tuesday May 15th
Schools, preschools, and child care centers are encouraged to share a book or video about food allergies and how to be a “friend” to those with food allergies. Parents may also volunteer to present in their child’s school. Lesson plans and book suggestions are available via our website. FAEN will also be provide free “You could save a life…” posters to area schools upon request. For morning announcements, click HERE.

Wednesday May 16th
Legislator meet and greet at the Connecticut State Legislative Building in Hartford Connecticut with Governor Dannel Malloy, Senator Ed Meyer and Representative Pat Widlitz.

RJ Julia, Madison: Erica Reid, “The Thriving Child” 7pm

Raising children in today’s toxic environment can leave many parents with unanswered questions. Where medicine stalled and failed to provide results, one mother’s efforts to overhaul her family’s diet led to a restructured approach to raise a healthy family in a poisoned world.
It took months of doctors visits and several illnesses for Erica Reid to uncover that her young son had multiple allergies and serious asthma. Her daughter, who had suffered from skin irritation since birth, was diagnosed with food allergies as well. Thus began a cautious, thoughtful journey to more doctors and led the author to totally re-vamp her family’s diet, “de-tox” her home, and, as her children grew older, coordinate healthy routines for school and travel.

Along the way, Reid developed complementary child-rearing strategies promoting respect, responsibility, creativity, spiritual balance, and love. From heath and nutrition to discipline and spirituality, Reid schooled herself in every area that is part of creating a totally healthy environment in which a family can flourish. THE THRIVING CHILD also includes in-depth prescriptive advice from top experts, including doctors, and celebrity mothers.
This event is FREE. 10% of each book sold benefits FAEN. Click here to reserve your spot!

Thursday May 17th
10:30am – RJ Julia Preschool Story Hour …. How to be a friend to someone with Food Allergies – scheduled, see HERE for details. (FREE)

Saturday May 19th
2pm – 3pm The Princess and the Peanut: A Royally Allergic Fairytale play, written by Sue Gantz and adapted by Robin Comey featuring the Friends of Food Allergy Players will be held at the The Village at Mariners Point 111 South Shore Drive East Haven CT. FAEN will present the HERO Awards recognizing children, businesses and caretakers that strive to make children with food allergies safe and included in all aspects of of our community.

Thursday May 24th

7pm – The Rights of the Food Allergic Child in the School Setting: Section 504 of the ADA, a workshop with Attorney Larry Berliner
SARAH in Action, 51 Boston Post Rd., Madison Presented by SARAH, Inc. KIDSTEPS Family and Children’s Center and The Food Allergy Education Network

Register with Kathy Fadel at KIDSTEPS Family and Children’s Center at (203) 453-7592 ext. 2 or kidsteps-fcc@sarah-inc.org

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If you would like more information about the specific upcoming events in celebration of Food Allergy Awareness Week or for interviews, please contact Gina Lee at FAEdNetwork@gmail.com or by phone at 203-206-3141.